Self-Evaluation Quiz

Self-Evaluation Results

Is a job in Engineering Technology right for you?
Finding the right career isn’t easy, but this quiz is. By answering the following questions, you’ll get a better idea of how your
strengths, skills and personal traits might lead you to one of many great engineering technology careers. Answer the following
questions and then click on Submit to find out.

A: I'm able to figure them out and do the job on my own.
B: I toss them and figure it out on my own.
C: I double check with someone to make sure I have the instructions right.

3.In deciding how to solve a problem, I:

A: Make decisions immediately and don’t let it slow me down.
B: Make a decision after five or ten minutes, right or wrong.
C: Look at all the angles and study the problem until I find a solution.

4.To help make a decision, I:

A: Ask other people and rely on their judgment.
B: Study the problem, read and try to find answers.
C: Use a combination of input from others and my own research.

5.When it comes to details:

A: The fewer the better
B: I work quickly and check the details at the end.
C: I enjoy looking at every angle and focusing on the details as I go.

6. I check my class work for mistakes:

A: Once, or twice if I have time.
B: I don’t; I usually have a good feeling about my work.
C: I don’t because I run out of time.

7.If you ask me to make up a scenario or expand on instructions:

A: I don’t like it; I prefer to follow explicit directions.
B: I’m limited, but I can try.
C: I like being able to use information from others, but have input as well.

8. Teamwork involves communication, and to me:

A: That’s great because I like to hear others talk about their ideas.
B: That’s wasting time; I’d rather get right to work.
C: It’s a chance to find out more about my co-workers, their hobbies and interests.

9.Regarding personal communication:

A: I really enjoy talking.
B: I speak if I have something to say and think how to say it first.
C: I avoid starting conversations and prefer not to have to talk too much.

10.If I have to speak in front of others, I:

A: Would probably say as little as possible or pass out.
B: Kick myself after I’m done because I didn’t say what I meant to say.
C: Practice what I have to say first so I can speak coherently.

11.Listening to others:

A: I pay attention to get the meaning and ask questions if I need to.
B: Is boring, and my mind wanders.
C: Makes me impatient, though I know I should listen more carefully.

12.Writing is:

A: Not my first choice in activities, so I avoid it.
B: A real chore; I hate it.
C: Important in any job, so I’m trying to do better.

13.When I am asked to change my work:

A: I am annoyed.
B: I expect it, knowing that it will be a better product.
C: I understand, but it’s boring to re-do my work.

14.The best work scenario for me would be:

A: A fast pace with projects that change.
B: Handling one large project at a time.
C: Multiple tasks with the freedom to move from one site to another.

15.Any job I get will have to involve:

A: Some hands-on work.
B: The opportunity to figure out how things work.
C: Changing work situations (I have a hard time being in one place all day).

16.If I invested a lot of time in a project, only to have the specifications change radically, I’d:

A: Find another job.
B: Say it’s better to find out what changes to make before problems arise.
C: Have trouble keeping my cool, but I would have to make the changes.

17.When I arrive for work:

A: I would want everything to be the same as I left it the day before.
B: Would like it if a new project came up suddenly.
C: I would want to know that I’ll be able to go home after 8 hours.

18. Math is:

A: Something I am willing to get better at.
B: Problem solving with numbers, and I enjoy it.
C: Always the worst time at school for me.

19.Teamwork is:

A: Trouble; I can’t count on other team members to do their part.
B: Time consuming; just let me get to work on it.
C: One way to learn from my coworkers.

20.The strongest personal trait I possess that would make me a great employee is:

A: Persistence.
B: Common sense.
C: Brains.

21. Great careers:

A: Just happen.
B: Take a lot of planning.
C: Only happen to lucky people.

Question 1: When trying to solve a problem, I :

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Engineering technologists must be good at problem solving. They are given an engineer's specifications to turn into a project, and they need to make it work. A) Is the best answer, B) Is a bit too random for success; C) Of course, you wouldn't want to work at a job that frustrates you.

Question 2: If I’m given written instructions

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: You should be able to figure out what to do on your own from a written set of instructions, so a is the best answer. b - You should never ignore instructions from anyone, so if this is your answer, think again about this career field. If you said c, that’s OK, but you should be able to work independently without always asking someone else.

Question 3: In deciding how to solve a problem, I

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: In the engineering technologies, you’ll have to make decisions, but you shouldn’t make decisions without thinking first, so a is not a good answer unless you are very experienced; b might get you in trouble for going ahead without a thorough understanding of the problem. If you said c, you would make a good engineering technician as long as you don’t take too long to get the job done.

Question 4: To help make a decision, I

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Making decisions is very important, so here’s another angle. If you chose a and constantly ask others for their opinions, never using any of your own, you won’t be a very valuable employee. If you chose b, you are a loner at work and might be headed for trouble by trusting only your own judgment. However if you chose c, using a combination of input from others and your own research, you will be the right kind of employee for this field.

Question 5: When it comes to details

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Working with specifications from engineers or researchers means a lot of detail. You’ll have to be sure that each part of your work is accurate, and that means double or even triple checking. The best and only answer here is c

Question 6: I check my class work for mistakes

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: If you aren’t in the habit of checking your class work now, you should know that taking your time to do a good job and then checking your work (a) is the only way to be successful in engineering technology.

Question 7: If you ask me to make up a scenario or expand on instructions

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Here’s where the job field of engineering technology can fit different needs. Some technicians will only work with specific instructions and procedures; some companies will give you a chance to try experimenting occasionally, and some jobs in the engineering technologies will allow you to have input as you work with a team to create a product and solve problems.

Question 8: Teamwork involves communication, and to me

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: If you chose a, and you like to hear others talk about their ideas, you are a creative thinker and communicator; there’s room for that in engineering technology. If you chose b, it’s admirable that you want to get to work right away, but you can’t become a lone wolf. No one can work in a vacuum. If you chose c, look out. Office teamwork isn’t a time to gab with coworkers, and you wouldn’t be popular with any boss

Question 9: Regarding personal communication

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: If you chose a and enjoy getting to know your coworkers, you may be headed for a career in supervision. Supervising or managing others is not easy, but it gives you a chance to work with many different kinds of people and help them become effective team members. If you chose b, you are a careful individual and will earn the respect of both your supervisor and your coworkers. If you chose c, you should be careful to choose a career in engineering technology that gives you plenty of alone time.

Question 10: If I have to speak in front of others, I

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: “Must have good communications skills” is something you’re likely to see on nearly every job ad. Good communication is so important, it may be the trait that distinguishes one qualified job candidate from another. Engineering technicians may never have to speak formally in front of others, but you should work on it at least for job interviews, meetings and presentations and working with teammates. A b selection also means you aren’t quite ready for prime time, but public speaking is something you can get better at. Congratulations if you chose c; you may be on your way to a supervision or management career.

Question 11: Listening to others

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: We spend most of our waking time listening, but how much of it is actually understood? If you chose a, you are a super listener, which will translate into making you a good employee in any field, but especially as an engineering technician, where you will deal with details and precise instructions every day. If you think, b, it’s boring, and your mind wanders, you will not succeed in being able to translate instructions into work. And if you chose c, there’s still hope. You know you can improve your listening habits.

Question 12: Writing is

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: It may not seem like writing will be important once you’re out of school, but you may use it every day in engineering technology. Writing reports that show your work progress clearly is invaluable in this field, or any field. Managers want to understand your work immediately. If you chose a, there’s still time to get to work, and if you chose b, you should understand its importance and hope you land a job with limited writing. C is obviously the best attitude about this skill.

Question 13: When I am asked to change my work

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Change is a constant in the engineering technologies. New processes, programs and products arise with regularity. If you are asked to change your work (a), you can not let annoyance get in your way; if you chose b, you are a realistic individual and you’ll be able to function well in this field. If you chose c, you should either pick another field or work on it. If you are bored, you wont’ do good work.

Question 14: The best work scenario for me would be

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: The good news on this question is that all three answers can be found in the engineering technologies. You may work for a company with many small products, or you may work for a manufacturer that specializes in just one. Some engineering technicians, such as an electronics technician in sustainable energy, may travel over several states to work.

Question 15: Any job I get will have to involve

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Any choice works for this question. Engineering technicians are the hands-on people for companies that manufacture, design, or install

Question 16: If I invested a lot of time in a project, only to have the specifications change radically, I’d

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: If you chose a, you might as well save yourself the trouble. If you don’t like change, you won’t like a job in any of the engineering technologies. To stay ahead, companies must change continually. If you chose b, you are going to be a cool head on the job, and your employer will appreciate it. You know change is necessary and makes a better product. If you chose c, there’s still time for you to adjust and mature into a very reliable employee

Question 17: When I arrive for work

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: No two engineering technician jobs are completely the same. There are jobs that would offer the right environment for anyone, whether you chose a, b or c. Some technicians work in the same spot day after day; some are greeted with a new project first thing in the morning, and others are pretty much 8 to 5 jobs. Find out your preferences before you look for a job and when you interview, ask the questions that will help you determine if that particular job suits you

Question 18: Math is

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: You don’t have to be a mathematical genius to be an engineering technician, but an aptitude and willingness to learn is necessary. Many students are still having problems with high school math when they reach the community college, but once they see how it applies to the work, they have no problem. Don’t give up hope on this career field even if you answered c.

Question 19: Teamwork is

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: If you answered a or b, you may have problems finding the right job in engineering technology because most US business use teamwork to get the job done. Teamwork is meant to be a pooling of talent and resources, with each team member contributing a share of the work. Those who understand that will do well.

Question 20: The strongest personal trait I possess that would make me a great employee is

Your choice: You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: People who work in the fields of science and technology are more noted for persistence and common sense applications of knowledge than sheer brain power. So if you answered a or b, you’ll do great. And it’s always nice to have c, brains, too

Question 21: Great careers

Your choice:You did not select a choice for this question.

Answer: Sorry, but great careers do not just happen. If you chose a, think about it again. It’s not just luck, either, though a little luck doesn’t hurt. But good careers take a lot of planning (b). It’s never too late no matter where you are in school or life, so get started today.